ABSTRACT
The actual pattern of production, within the broad framework set by the success of exploration efforts in developing the discovered reserves and by the establishment of producing and transporting facilities for getting the oil out of the ground and away to the markets, is largely determined by a complex set of political and economic factors. Moreover, even the degree of exploration effort from place to place and the willingness or otherwise of companies to finance developments of discoveries is similarly related to political and economic considerations. The significance of these factors is thus of paramount importance in establishing the distribution of oil producing facilities—and the extent to which they are used—and this chapter is concerned with picking out the main elements that go to make up the complex. The inter-relationship of the factors will, however, become apparent and the influence of each one on the others should be constantly borne in mind.
